In 2015, it seemed Lee Chan-jae had nothing much to look forward to in life. With his two grown children and three grandsons far away in the US and South Korea, the then-73-year-old Korean immigrant in Brazil spent most of his time watching Korean TV in his Sao Paulo home or passing the time at a nearby park. Then an idea from his son, worried about his empty-nester father, changed everything. At first reluctantly, Lee started to draw for his grandsons -- Arthur, Allan and Astro, whom he missed

Culture June 21, 2019

Summer is here, which means it is time to update your wardrobe to match the warmer weather. From neon colors to tie-dye, summer 2019 is going to be a season of bright colors and playful fun. Here are some style tips, from runways, concept stores and local brands’ catalogs, for you to perfect your look this summer. Tie-dye The retro megatrend has brought the hippie era’s tie-dye prints back to life this season. From Prada to R13 and Stella McCartney, 2019 spring-summer runways ma

Arts & Design June 14, 2019

“I am a dog. Humans call me ‘Guseul.’” That is the opening line in the latest picture book of beloved children’s book writer and illustrator Baek Hee-na, released in mid-April. A tale of a not-so-special, stay-at-home dog whose life is pretty much all about waiting for the two-legged housemates to return and take it for a walk, “I Am a Dog” is a typical Baek book: witty, fun-to-read and visually enthralling. And as in her previous books, it does not fail

Books June 14, 2019

Social media may still be the domain of millennials. But they are also producing a new crop of age-defying influencers in their 60s, 70s and even 80s. Call it a graynaissance. From fashion blogging to ASMR, seniors are rallying massive followings on YouTube and Instagram with inspiring content drawn from fascinating life stories. Park Mak-rye, 72, YouTuber Park Mak-rye, known as the Korean Grandma on YouTube, is the biggest breakout star of the Korean graynaissance. Born in 1947, three

People June 7, 2019

It seems age really is no barrier to success nowadays. A 72-year-old Korean vlogger who clumsily tries things that her granddaughter and her generation are into is an international YouTube star, with over 900,000 subscribers to her channel. On Instagram, 75-year-old grandparents post their drawings daily for grandkids, which has eventually developed into a new career for them as artists with 387,000 followers.A 63-year-old owner of a humble eatery in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, Kim Chil-doo is n

Culture June 7, 2019

1. The first on-screen kiss in South Korea was in 1954.Nearly six decades after the first on-screen kiss occurred in the West in the 1896 film “The Kiss,” there was an uproar in South Korea in 1954 when the two protagonists of “The Hand of Destiny” had their lip-to-lip moment.Although this lasted for only a few seconds, it was a symbolic moment in Korean cinema that highlighted the clash of Confucian values and the ever-growing Western influence. The director and the actr

Film May 31, 2019

For chef Kim Rock-hun, gimbap is the perfect meal for the times. A roll of rice, vegetables and other ingredients wrapped tightly in a seaweed laver sheet, gimbap is tasty and healthy. Typically served in bite-sized slices, it is convenient to pack and eat on the move. “It is ‘slow fast food,’ filled with healthy ingredients. Can there be a better meal?” Kim, 49, said during an interview at his cooking studio in Dogok-dong, southern Seoul.  The only problem, a

Food May 24, 2019

One of the last vestiges of the Cold War, the Demilitarized Zone is often described as the world’s most heavily fortified border. But it is also a tourist magnet, attracting 1.2 million visitors annually. From the bustling metropolis of Seoul, tour buses take hundreds of foreign and local tourists to security-related tourism spots on a daily basis -- from Imjingak, a family-friendly theme park that serves as a starting point for border-area tourism, to the historic truce village of Panmunj

Travel May 24, 2019

The Korea Herald interviewed seven adventurous world travelers whose journey across continents could provide an inspiration for South Koreans for their next trip. Yoon Jin-young (right) and his wife, Shin Seon-a, traveled around the world in a Toyota SUV for three years. They said travels led them to exotic places and fun adventures, but somewhere along the way, they also experienced self-discovery and gained new attitudes toward life.From amateur stargazers on a quest to capture cosmic wonders

Travel May 17, 2019

Shin Seon-a at the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve in Bolivia. She has traveled 47 countries in this rugged 4x4 off-load vehicle with her husband Yoon Jin-young for nearly three years. (Photo provided by Shin)A trip around the world may sound like an unrealistic dream. Especially so for South Koreans, for whom a two-week vacation from work is a rarity and taking years off work can risk a career altogether, unless one has special skills that are in unusually high demand. Yet there se

Travel May 17, 2019

What is South Korea’s representative booze? Most people would probably say soju. But Lee Ji-min, a wine aficionado-turned-Korean liquor promoter, begs to differ. In her view, there are many local liquors more qualified for that title. “This may sound radical, but I want to see those green soju bottles on grocery store shelves replaced by our finest traditional spirits one day. I want to contribute to making that happen,” she said. Lee Ji-min, a PR expert and promoter of Korean traditional liquor

Food May 10, 2019

123rfLong overshadowed by soju and beer, makgeolli is poised for a grand comeback, with more brewers blending tradition with a modern twist. The oldest alcoholic drink in South Korea, the milky, unfiltered rice wine was traditionally the drink of farmers, but latest renditions have taken on a new variety of tastes and flavors, plus a premium image, to win over young, sophisticated sippers. At E-mart, the country’s largest retailer, makgeolli was the fastest growing liquor, logging a 24.6 percent

Food May 10, 2019

Feel like you’re missing out on the evolution of makgeolli? Don’t worry. The following are some of the hottest brews now for you to catch up with the ongoing revival of South Korea’s oldest booze. The selection is based on recommendations from industry insiders as well as sales tallies from traditional liquor shops. Premium line 1. Haechang Made from freshly harvested rice, glutinous rice and nuruk (a fermentation starter) from Haenam, South Jeolla Province, this premium makgeolli took the No. 1

Culture May 10, 2019

In Apgujeong, Seoul’s southern mecca of high fashion, fine dining and plastic surgery, lies the tomb of Ahn Chang-ho (1878-1938), a legendary freedom fighter from the Japanese occupation of Korea. Named Dosan Park after his pen name Dosan, it has the tombs of Ahn and his wife Lee Hye-reon, a memorial hall and some statues across its 29,974 square meters. The memorial hall features a collection of photos, handwritten letters and journals of Ahn, along with historic documents that shed light on hi

Travel May 3, 2019

In South Korea, spring outings are a grand, communal affair that bring people together. Schools, churches, companies and various social clubs and communities start planning way before spring arrives. It is one of the biggest annual events. The culture of grand picnicking can be traced back to “hwajeon nori” during the Joseon era (1392-1910) -- a picnic enjoyed mostly by women on the third day of the third lunar month. “Young Joseon wives would travel to an attractive outdoor site and pitch a ten

Culture May 3, 2019